The soirées: The 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theater, followed by the Governors Ball at the Los Angeles Convention Center and the AMC and IFC Emmy After Party at Boa Steakhouse.

Swellest moments: Walking the red carpet, bien sûr; the palpable sense of joy and excitement that came from gathering together so many who share a passion for television; Billy Crystal’s personal and heartfelt tribute to Robin Williams – you could hear a pin drop; the assortment of L’Oreal make up and hair products in the ladies rooms for the taking; and Cheryl Cecchetto’s production of The Governors Ball, which featured gorgeous tables with linens that matched the flowers, a delicious menu catered by Patina Catering, and entertainment by The Voice‘s Judith Hill.

“Kaleidoscope of Color” was the theme for the Governors Ball

What you didn’t see on the Emmy broadcast: The funny and touching video vignettes from past Emmy broadcasts that were shown during commercial breaks; the genuine sense of collegiality among the comics Seth Myers, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel; and the seat-filler “machine” – formally-attired men and women came out en masse during the commercial breaks to sit in the 40 to 50 seats that were left empty by those going to the restroom or leaving altogether because their category had already been announced.

Din-din: The first course was a delicious grilled peach and heirloom tomato salad with figs, burrata, peppermint, basil and Marcona almonds served with a 2013 Beaulieu Vineyard Maestro Collection Sauvignon Blanc. The main course was a perfectly prepared filet of beef with artisan grapes, squash and crispy kale served with a 2011 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Dessert was a chic and delicious take on s’mores featuring a whipped ganache, torched marshmallow fluff, graham crumble and chocolate-covered pop rocks served with a 2012 Beaulieu Vineyard Maestro Collection Napa Valley Port.